High Court Upholds Murder Conviction Of Burlington Man

BURLINGTON, MA -- The Massachusetts Supreme Judicial Court upheld the 2013 conviction of Christopher Piantedosi. Piantedosi, 43, was found guilty of the 2012 murder of his girlfriend, Kristen Pulisciano in their Burlington home. Piantedosi's appeal had revolved around an argument that a change in his depression medication caused him to viciously stab Pulisciano more than 30 times.

Piantedosi had sought to have his September 2013 first degree murder conviction reduced to second degree murder. The appeal also argued he should be found not guilty by reason of insanity. In its ruling, the SJC ruled there had been no error of law in the trial.

According to court documents, Piantedosi stabbed Pulisciano in her daughter's bedroom. The then 15-year-old girl called 9-1-1. During Piantedosi 's arraignment, prosecutors said two knives were used in the attack and one of the girl's friends had witnessed the murder through a live video feed from a Webcam in the bedroom.

Prosecutors said the friend heard the daughter say to her father "What are trying to do, kill mom?" Shortly after the friend could see Pulisciano enter the room, followed by the defendant, the prosecution said. According to the report Piantedosi yelled "You got to die," and Pulisciano replied "Chris, please stop, I love you."

Police found the body wedged between the bed and wall and pronounced Pulisciano dead at the scene.

Piantedosi had checked out of a mental facility, where he had been prescribed prescribed Prozac and Trazodone, a day before the May 3, 2012 murder. A forensic psychiatrist called by the defense in his trial said he suffered from bipolar disorder, making him more susceptible to effects of antidepressants that could have caused a violent, manic episode.

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Patch file photo.

Dave Copeland can be reached at dave.copeland@patch.com or by calling 617-433-7851. Follow him on Twitter (@CopeWrites) and Facebook (/copewrites).